Shopping in Leeds City Centre
Leeds has an impressive selection of designer stores, such as Vivienne Westwood and Harvey Nichols, many housed within its beautiful Victorian arcades. The city centre also has lots of high street favourites, such as Marks and Spencer and H&M, and Leeds City Market, the largest covered market in Europe.
For more unique, artisan products, head to the Corn Exchange, a beautifully ornate Victorian building which holds regular vintage and craft fairs inside.
A few streets behind the Corn Exchange, you'll find a number of Goth and alternative clothing shops that reflect the city's rich musical heritage.
Sports
Leeds United are the city's football heroes and their stadium on Elland Road is the second largest outside the Premier League.
Formed in 1863, Yorkshire County Cricket Club is one of the most successful teams in English history. Catch a home game at the Headingley Carnegie Cricket Ground and see this beloved team work their magic.
Live music
A key part of the 1980s Goth scene, birthing legendary acts such as The Sisters of Mercy, the city continues to be both a nurturing ground for new talent and provide excellent venues for larger acts travelling through. Both the Kaiser Chiefs and Alt-J got their start here and local acts still play at The Cockpit, the Leeds modern equivalent of The Cavern, alongside big names such as The White Stripes and Coldplay.
Cheap hotels in Leeds really fill up when there's a popular act at the 02 Academy, which attracts names such as Counting Crows and Public Enemy.
Culture
Leeds' Royal Armouries Museum attracts many visitors to the city and hotels in Leeds, and for good reason. Among the 8,000 plus exhibits here are Henry VIII's tournament armour and items from the Tower of London. For more interactive fun for all the family, head to Leeds City Museum and see the Leeds mummy or dig for fossils in the Life on Earth gallery.
Leeds Art Gallery is one of the best outside of London and a must-see for art fans. It contains sculptures by Henry Moore and Anthony Gormley and has guest exhibitions and a shop and café.
Theatre
Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House has a lavish Victorian interior and hosts shows such as Wicked and Shrek. West Yorkshire Playhouse is another popular theatre venue in the city that features more independent productions, alongside The Carriageworks.
